Nan Yuan Restaurant: A Place Where Taste and Time Intertwine

In the river of memories, there are always places that carry our unforgettable past. For me, Qianjin Road is such a special existence. When I was a child, my aunt's family lived on Qianjin Road. My uncle was a dim sum chef at Nan Yuan Restaurant across the street. At that time, my mother often went to the countryside for work, and my 3-year-old brother had no one to take care of him, so he was sent to my aunt's house. On weekends, I would also be sent there to accompany my brother. My aunt's family took great care of my brother, even to the point of favoritism. The delicious dim sum my uncle brought back was always given to my brother, while I could only watch with longing eyes, feeling a bit unfair. But even so, the time on Qianjin Road left a deep mark on my life. Nan Yuan Restaurant is located at 142 Qianjin Road on the south bank of the Pearl River. The original site was the garden of the salt merchant Kong family. It was built in 1958 and renovated in 1962 by the Lingnan architectural master Mo Bozhi. It is known as one of the three major garden restaurants in Guangzhou, along with Panxi and Beiyuan. Stepping into Nan Yuan Restaurant feels like walking into a painting of Lingnan style. The green bricks and tiles, the upturned eaves, all exude an ancient and elegant beauty. The pavilions and towers in the garden are well-arranged, with rockeries, fish ponds, and winding corridors complementing each other. Every step reveals a new scene, filled with the unique charm of traditional Lingnan architecture. Today, stepping into Nan Yuan Restaurant again, the past and the present intertwine in a wonderful way. The familiar aroma of dim sum fills the air, a delicious memory born from my uncle's busy figure. I ordered the shrimp dumplings and rice rolls that I had longed for as a child. When they were served, the translucent shrimp dumplings revealed plump shrimp inside; the rice rolls, as thin as cicada wings, wrapped tender minced meat and smooth eggs. Taking a gentle bite of the shrimp dumpling, the familiar freshness instantly blossomed on my tongue, and the scene of watching my brother enjoy them as a child appeared before my eyes. The past grievance now turned into a faint smile at the corner of my mouth. Tasting the rice roll, the rich rice fragrance and the savory filling blended together, making me sigh that this is not just the taste of food, but the taste of time. Strolling in the restaurant's garden, the fish in the pond swim happily, causing ripples on the water surface. An old man sits in a pavilion, leisurely playing the erhu, with the melodious music echoing in the garden. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, forming patches of golden light that fall on the ancient buildings, adding a touch of dreamlike color to the Lingnan garden. In this fast-paced era, Nan Yuan Restaurant is like a tranquil harbor, carrying the warmth and memories of the past, and witnessing the beauty and heritage of the present. It is not only a treasure of Guangzhou's culinary culture but also an eternal emotional landmark in my heart. No matter how time flows, as long as I step in here, the warmth and emotion of childhood will surge in my heart, never fading.